HYDERABADI DUM CHICKEN BIRYANI
“Hyderabad” fondly known as the” Pearl city” is a city in South Eastern India, is also known for its authentic Deccani cuisine which is a blend of Mughlai & Arabic cuisine.This cuisine emphasizes the use of ingredients that are carefully chosen and cooked to the right degree and time. Utmost attention is given to picking the right kind of spices, meat, rice, etc. Therefore, an addition of a certain herb, spice, condiment, or combination of all these add a distinct taste and aroma.
Perhaps its the changing season from summer to an early fall,perhaps it was the late night movie on the Mughal Emperor, perhaps its the cinnamon scented candles that are slowly finding their way home,perhaps its the string of pearls I stumbled upon in a long forgotten chest,perhaps its the need to be surrounded by the aroma of home…could have been any of these or a combination of these that lead me to create this “signature dish”from the land of the Nizams,all I can say is I’m glad I did,because it sure was “soul food”.I remember visiting this city as a kid , while the grown ups went looking for pearls & diamonds , I was content with a bowl of “Hyderabadi Biryani” such were the treasures hidden in this dish,that lured the taste buds of the young heart & the memory lingers on….Food is always associated with memories they say, I just have to open my spice box to write a book.Hoping the rich aroma that wafts through my home fills your homes & hearts too.Enjoy,this authentic dish and the rich flavors of the cuisine the Nizams of Hyderabad ( ‘Hyder’ means lion or ruler in Persian,’abad’ means abode or city) left behind as a heritage to those of us who love spicy food.

Some of the links to my published blog post recipes using mint leaves are listed below for your interest :
- https://stirringmyspicysoul.com/watermelon-feta-mint-salad/
- https://stirringmyspicysoul.com/hyderabadi-dum-chicken-biryani/
- https://stirringmyspicysoul.com/ambur-biryani/
- https://stirringmyspicysoul.com/mint-nchicken/
- https://stirringmyspicysoul.com/chicken-biryani-south-indian-dindigul-thalappakattu/
- https://stirringmyspicysoul.com/mushroom-biryani/
- https://stirringmyspicysoul.com/prawn-mint-pulao/
- https://stirringmyspicysoul.com/mint-leaves-how-to-pick-store-and-use-them/